Greetings!
Since today is just about mid-month, it’s time for another of our RAP sessions (Review And Process, deeper and wider). Each RAP revisits a cross-cultural theme or topic from a previous Connect. This month we are going to revisit the topic of innovations. [*] We’ll start with the Transformations component of our PROACTIve Framework and then dig deeper through the Harbor or 3rd dimension of our Global SKILLs 3D Dynamics Perspectives. [**]
Wow…a lot to cover! More than we can do in this one Connect, so check out the LINKs below!
Sometimes, when you are really lucky, you experience intriguing cross-cultural moments in the most unexpected places. Like when I stopped by a bagel booth at my favorite farmer’s market in central Florida just before Christmas, drawn in by the banner heralding their business “Mont-Royal Bagels”. Hmmm…Bagels - but not in the New York style? Yes, as it turns out, bagels being made in a century old tradition, baked in a culture of wood fire ovens and 24/7 service…based in - Montreal, Canada! Who knew?!
Now, here’s one innovative Transformation of that tradition - a business created and owned by the Grossman family based in Florida. Through research, testing, a keen eye to trends and enthusiastic marketing, they are producing a diverse product line of bagels (and other goodies!) which even NY bagel connoisseurs have been known to acknowledge as delicious (and their maple tart is to die for)!
Now - let’s move into the Harbor dimension of 3D Dynamics which is a space where everyone brings something to the table (in this case literal and figurative), and everyone benefits from the results of working together. At the heart of the Grossman’s endeavors, and the core of their ever expanding Mont-Royal Bagel enterprise, is the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to work, and not just work but shine in a work context they are passionate about…and enjoy doing! The Grossmans are mastering this by not just employing but empowering their two sons, who are on the autism spectrum - with an eye to hiring many more special needs folks, as they scale up the business. Talk about not just innovative, but also - hugely inspiring!
There’s so much more to this story - but for now, I leave you with the thought that transformative cultural innovation - and inspiration - can be found pretty much anywhere, whether we’re looking for it or not. By pausing at a farmer’s market booth or in any other context you detect there might just be something of interest, we each and all can enjoy and engage with cross-cultural moments!
How about you ~ want to try a Mont-Royal Bagel?!
Check out the Global SKILLs LINKs below - and go for it!
Thanks for being part of this Connect community - and special thanks to Randy Grossman, with whom I chatted as the basis for most of this Connect.
Until next week,
Betsy
Global SKILLs LINKs
~ Mont-Royal Bagel Baker innovations: https://montroyalbagel.com/pages/our-story
~ several of the finest traditional bagel bakers in Montreal:
Notes
* Related Connects on the topic of innovations : 7/1/20 - silver linings, 2/17/21 - online innovations, 7/14/21 - tourism solutions; 2/15/23 - innovative bread (you can find these using this link: https://www.globalskillspartners.com/blog-1)
** Through my business Global SKILLs and several partner subsidiaries I offer unique cross-cultural consulting and training including:
3 Dimensional Dynamics Perspectives: 1st dimension = HOME ; 2nd dimension = HOST; 3rd dimension = HARBOR (which we explored this week)
PROACTive Framework:
PRO = PROfile, PROcess, PROgram
ACT = Applications, Collaborations and Transformations (which we explored this week)
~ contact me for more information on this model and these strategies and how you might use them in your current programming: betsy.barbour@gmail.com
2024 ~ Celebrating 40+ years of working in
intercultural communications and global community building
“It takes a community to build a community”
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